Geelong council will publicly exhibit plans to rezone a 114-hectare section of land in Lara from farming land to residential and industrial zones.
The wedge-shaped section of land is located south of the main Lara township, bordered by Canterbury Road to the north, Rennie Street to the east and the Geelong railway line to the west.
Two amendments to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme would see the northern section of the land rezoned as General Residential Zone Schedule 1, the southern section rezoned as Industrial 1 Zone, with an Industrial Zone 3 acting as a buffer between the two.
Prompted by applications submitted by Tract Consultants, the proposed rezoning would facilitate the development of 600 dwellings and an industrial and commercial business park, with the potential for a district outdoor sports facility.
The land was identified in the council’s Lara Structure Plan 2011 as suitable for development and the proposed development would also align with the City of Greater Geelong Settlement Strategy 2021, which describes Lara as an established urban area capable of facilitating infill housing.
You Yangs Ward councillor Chris Burson, who tabled the proposal, said City officers would help the community understand the proposed rezoning and what it would mean for local residents.
“I’ve spoken to the officers and they are going to speak to the community about what (the industrial zoning) means… (given) that we don’t want an incinerator,” Cr Burson said.
“They’re going to explain what industrial one and three is to the people so that they can put in complaints if they wish to, or know more about it.”
Cr Burson also noted the potential traffic issues 600 new dwellings and an industrial centre could create for Lara, suggesting new Princes Freeway entry and exit ramps as a possible solution.
Cr Anthony Aitken said he and Cr Burson had already been contacted by community members about the proposed amendment, acknowledging the Lara community did not see the council in “a trusted light”.
“This proposed multi-amendment has once again raised concerns in the community because of that (lack of trust),” Cr Aitken said.
“I do encourage those people… to please have a look at the proposed planning amendment and the components of it to (see) what impact it actually does make on the broader Lara community.”
